Page 8 - Jupiter Spotlight - October '24

Page 8, Jupiter Spotlight
Lead The Fight Event Connects Pediatric

Professionals To School-Based Mental Health Services

Center for Child Counseling with Palm Beach Pediatric
Society lead the fight in children’s mental health by
connecting pediatricians to the supports offered in Palm
Beach County schools.
The Center for Child Counseling (CFCC) continued its Lead
the Fight series to move forward its efforts addressing adverse
childhood experiences (ACEs) and childhood trauma with
the healthcare providers who are on the frontlines of seeing
children and families. In partnership with the Palm Beach
Pediatric Society, CFCC hosted part two of a three-part series,
The Trauma-Informed Pediatric Practice: The Superheroes Have
Arrived, on August 28, at the National Croquet Center in West
Palm Beach.
Led by Dr. Shannon Fox-Levine, president of the Palm Renée Layman, Angie Lykins, Elizabeth Margaret Rollins, Dr. Michael Glazier, Dominika Nolan, Lizeth Henry, Andrea
Beach Pediatric Society and medical director of Center for Searles Elizabeth Larsen Goytia Rios
Child Counseling, this part of the series focused on how Palm
Beach County Schools are helping students with mental health
and behavioral concerns – and how pediatricians can tap into
available supports to help their patients. The goal of the event
was to help pediatricians connect their patients to school-based
mental health services – from prevention to crisis support.
Featured guest speakers included Dr. Seth Bernstein,
executive vice president at United Way of Palm Beach County,
and Dr. Mary Claire Mucenic, director of behavior and mental
health for the School District of Palm Beach County.
Overarching themes of the evening included the superpower
in being an advocate for children’s mental health and the
necessity of not waiting for a child to fall apart before helping.
Dr. Bernstein provided the history of mental health supports in
schools over the last few decades and the research that supports
early intervention and reaching children before diagnosis. Jessica Cecere, Heather Bennett Dr. Seth Bernstein, Dr. Shannon Fox-Levine
“All children should get the supports that they need and
not have to rely on a diagnosis to bill Medicaid or insurance,” … I’m totally committed to supporting the mental health of our The schools recognize the importance of destigmatizing
Bernstein stated. children and the support of our families and hope that you will mental health services and share the message throughout their
Bernstein also shared his personal story of undergoing his be superheroes also in this fight,” advocated Bernstein. campuses that, “It’s okay to be okay. It’s okay to not be okay.
parents’ divorce and his introduction to school mental health as Dr. Mucenic re-stressed the importance of students and It’s okay to ask for help.”
a recipient of services. When in high school, the school social families being able to access mental health supports in schools Mucenic emphasized, “We have people on every school
worker, Mr. C, invited him to join a “divorce group.” This group and gave a detailed overview of the services that are provided campus to support mental health. It’s really important.”
helped Bernstein gain the support of his peers, learn coping skills, in the 179 schools that make up the Palm Beach County Each school’s mental health team includes: school
and build resiliency. He then took a peer support class and by School District. counselor(s), ESOL school coordinator, school psychologist(s),
senior year was leading a class for the younger classmen and As part of the school district’s strategic plan, they are school behavioral health professional, co-located mental health
giving back. measuring and following objectives to support mental health professional (at 115 of the schools), and SBT/CST leader. There
“He [Mr. C] really set me on this path of who I am today … and well-being, including enhancing a sense of belonging, are also supports provided at the district level, such as the
it really made me into an advocate to really eliminate barriers to safety, and acceptance for all students; and trauma-informed
access school mental health services for youth and their families care and practices. Lead The Fight on page 9

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